Liquid degassing means and method



Sept. 10, 1963 M. B. HOSKING 3 LIQUID DEGASSING MEANS AND METHOD FiledOct. 9, 1961 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGZ MICHAEL- B. HOSKING his attorneys.

Sept. 10, 1963 M. B. HOSKING 3,103,424

LIQUID DEGASSING MEANS AND METHOD Filed 001;. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. MICHAEL B. HOSKING Qm-M his attorneys.

Sept. 10, 1963 HOSKING 3,103,424

- LIQUID DEGASSING MEANS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3FIGB v ,INVENTOR.

- MICHAEL B. HOSKING his attorneys United States Patent 3,103,424 LIQUIDDEGASSING MEANS AND METHOD Michael B. Hosking, East Rochester, N.Y.,assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Electronic Assistance Corporation, Red Bank, Nil acorporation of New York Filed Oct. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 143,726 13 Claims.(Cl. 5515) This invention relates to devices for degassing liquids such,for example, as beer and the like, by the application of vibrations toagitate the liquid and thereby cause the gas to bubble out. It has beenproposed to mechanically tap the liquid container for that purpose, butsuch a method has been found limited in its usefulness or actuallyde-fective because of variations in the size and shape of containers andthe force of the impacts, and the breakage of glass containers. Liquidin a large stationary container or vat has been subjected to vibrations,produced by transducer means, but such a method requires the applicationof excessive power for containers of substantial size and is not adaptedfor use with containers for retail distribution to consumers, such asbottles or cans. Liquid in bottles has been degassed or foamed, whilemoving on a conveyor, by pressing a contact part on a magnetostrictivetransducer core directly against the bottles, but this method is subjectto variable results in operation due to variations in the size and shapeof the containers, the irregularities of size and shape, the position ofthe containers on the conveyor, the limited area of contact with thebottles, the damping effect on the transducer of contact with thebottles, the wearing away of the transducer contact part and likeresults of such contact.

One object of the invention is to provide a device for degassing liquidsin bottles, cans and the like, while moving on a conveyor, in a moreuniform and efiicient manner.

Another object is the provision of an ultrasonic transducer device, forvibrating and degassing liquids, in which the transducer operates withimproved coupling and transmission of vibrations to the containers andtheir liquids, but without contact of transducer parts with thecontainers.

Another object is to supply such a device by which the ultrasonicvibrations produced by the transducer are effectively applied over agreater area of each liquid container.

Another object is to provide a transducer vibrating means in which thevibration transmitting element of the transducer is free from contactwith the moving containers and free from Wearing away of such element bysuch contact.

Another object is the provision of a transducer having its vibrationtransmitting element supported wholly by its inherent core means andfree from interference or damping by contact with other transducerparts.

Another object is to produce such a means in which the vibrationtransmitting element of the transducer means is free from damping andinterference with the resonance of its vibrations by contact with thecontainers.

A further object is a transducer degassing device adapted to operate atlower temperatures of its energizing coils.

Still a further object is a device having the above advantages and apractical and relatively simple construction.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

The present embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a transducer embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation as seen from the left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view;

'ice

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the transducer, its stack assembly andvibrating element;

FIG. 5 is a section on the line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the transducer and its windings; I

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 99 of FIG. 4 showing the means formovably supporting the transducer and its vibrating element;

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 88 of FIG. 3 showing the top positioningelement and means for supplying a water curtain;

FIG. 9 is a detailed section through a vibration dampening connection;and

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the energizing circuit.

The invention is embodied in the present instance in a device adaptedfor use with a machine by which bottles or other containers ofbeverages, such as beer, are filled and then capped, for the purpose offoaming the beer in the open-topped containers to drive outthe :airwhile they are being conveyed to the capping machine. The bottles arecommonly clamped in position on the rotary conveyor or table 20 (FIG. 2)of the filling machine by any known and suitable means and foamed by thepresent device while being conveyed in a circular path, but the foamingmay be accomplished with the bottles movingin a linear path.

A supporting or mounting base 22, of generally plate shape, is providedwith bolts 24 for securing it to the frame of the filling machine orother stationary structure, adjacent the path of movement of the bottles26. Base 22 has spaced flanges 28 fixed thereon and extendingtherefromfor movably supporting therebetweeen a frame indicatedgenerally at 34 and comprising spaced rectangular top and bottom plates31 (FIGS. 2-4) connected at opposite ends by flanged plates 32 boltedthereto (FIG.

2). Plates 32 have flanges34- turned at right angles to parallel theframe plates 31 and secured thereto by bolts 36, to produce a rigidframe enclosing and supporting a pair of spaced ultrasonicmagnetostrictive transducer means or units 38' (FIGS. 1, 2, 4-6)'.

Each transducer unit has a stack or core 39 of laminations of nickel,steel, or other magnetostrictive material which extend horizontally andare divided centrally into two portions for convenience in winding eachdivided portion with an energizing coil 41. The two coils of each unitare connected in series with each other and the coils of the two unitsare connected in parallel, as shown in FIG. 6. Each unit is supported atone end by bolting on opposite sides to bars 40 the other ends of whichare securedby vibration-free connections to frame plates 31 as indicatedgenerally at 42 (FIGS. 35, 9). Bars 40 are preferably secured to thestacks or cores 39 by through bolts 44 with an interposed spacer bar anda layer of relatively soft material, such as fiberoid, covering thecorners of the laminations to protect the winding insulation.

The'spacing of, the transducer units. from each other, of which unitsthere may be two or more, ispreferably determined empirically, dependingupon the energy applied, the materials, dimensions and the likeemployed, for the purpose of promoting resonant coincidence of thevibrational waves produced along the vibrating element or diaphragm '54.In the present instance the stacks are 1% inches apart from center tocenter.

Each vibration-free connection 42 between bars 40 and the plates 31 ofthe frame preferably comprises a big or spur 48 (FIG. 9) on bar 40)carrying a substantially cylindrical ring 50 fitted in a bearing 52formed on the adjacent frame plate 31, so that any vibrations of theunit or supporting bars 40 arecompletely damped out against transmissionto the frame.

The cores 39 of the transducer units are brazed at their other ends toan elongated, relatively thin, rec- 3 tangular steel plate or diaphragm54 (FIGS. 4-6), for transmitting their ultrasonic magnetostrictivevibrations to a fluid curtain interposed between it and fluidcontainers, as hereafter further described. Energy is supplied throughleads 76 from a circuit such as shown in FIG.

Each plate 31 of the frame 31 has lugs 56 bolted to its opposite ends(FIGS. 1 and 2) and such lugs 56 of each frame plate are brazed orotherwise secured, respectively, to the opposite ends of one of a pairof spaced, substantially linear and parallel positioning members 58 and60. These members have their ends curved for smooth engagement withcontainers conveyed therepast and the container engaging surfaces of themembers are preferably faced with hard, polished, Stellite surfaces 59(FIGS. 1 and 3) to absorb wear and reduce friction. These menrbersextend on opposite sides and are spaced from and parallel with diaphragmplate 54, as shown. Their supporting lugs '56 are connected by bolt andslot means 61 (FIGS. 3 and 4) with the adjacent frame plate 31, foradjusting members '58 and 60' to positions slightly in advance ofdiaphragm 54, for engagement of the members with the containers, whilerestraining the movement of the frame and holding the diaphragm 54slightly spaced from the containers.

The uppermost positioning member, as 60 is preferably formed with alongitudinally extending, internal bore 62 provided at its edge adjacentdiaphragm 54 with a series of spaced discharge openings 64 (FIGS. 1, 8),for discharging Water or other suitable fluid in a thin film or curtaindownwardly between diaphragm 54 and the containers. Water is suppliedthrough flexible tubes 55 to both ends of bore 62. This construction issuch that only the positioning members 58 and 60 contact the containers,while diaphragm 54 engages only the water curtain 66 which covers it andtransmits and couples its vibrations to the containers. The positioningmembers are resiliently biased or pressed into the path of and incontact with the containers by means which will be described. But withthe provision of means for producing the fluid curtain and precisepositioning of the diaphragm, the positioning members 58 land 60 may bemade unnecessary.

Flanges 28 of supporting base '22 are connected to the frame 30 byresilient torsional and flexible biasing means which support the frameand its positioning members and diaphragm and move them yielda'bly forengaging the positioning members with the containers. This biasing meanssupports these parts for resilient yielding also in planes parallel withand transverse to the longitudinal extent of the positioning members andin planes therebetween, so as to afford complete tilting flexibility ofsuch members for conforming engagement with the containers,notwithstanding variations in the size, shape or diameter of thecontainers and tilted positions thereof on the conveying means.

For this purpose, each base plate flange 28 is connected on oppositesides with brackets 68 (FIG. 2) fixed on the adjacent frame plates 31.Each such connecting means comprises a plate or bar 70 fixed at its endsto the flange and bracket, respectively, by a connecting means such asshown in FIG. 7, comprising a resilient and torsionallydeformalblecylindrical body 72, having threaded studs 74 fixedlyanchored in its ends. The studs 74 are passed through openings in theends of each bar and through the flange and bracket, respectively, asshown, and the studs are fixedly secured to the bar and flange andbracket as by nuts and lock washers. Such connections with each flangeare located at a greater distance from the container path than suchconnections with the frame brackets so that, by biasing such connectionsin assembly, the positioning members are pressed toward the containerpath and resiliently resist opposite movement by torsional deformationof the bodies 72. In assembly, such connections are set to locate thepositioning members in overlapping relation with the container path by,say, of an thereby.

inch, so as to lightly engage each container as it is moved It isapparent from the above described connections between the base plateflanges and frame that the frame and its positioning members are alsotiltable resiliently in a horizontal plane and also in a vertical plane,and in any intermediate plane, by shearing deformation of the bodies 72,so that the frame and its positioning members are universally tiltablefor conformation to irregularities in contact with the containers.

The transducer is energized by any known and suitable electrical circuittypical of those commonly employed for such transducer means and wellunderstood by those skilled in the art, the present parts being shown inthe drawing (FIG. 10) and described by identifying labels.

In operation, with the filled and open top containers in motion on theconveyor, the transducer energized, the water curtain flowing, and thepositioning members 58 and 60 adjusted as described, the later engagethe containers successively and maintain the transducer vibratingdiaphragm 54 in closely spaced but non-contacting relation to thecontainers. The water curtain 66 between the containers and thevibrating diaphragm 54, covers the latter and couples it with thecontainers for transmitting its vibrations to the substantial area ofeach container wetted by the Water curtain in turn, so as to effectivelyvibrate each container wall and its contents and foam or otherwise degasthe contents.

It is evident from the above description, taken in connection with thedrawings, that the invention effectively accomplishes its objects. Theinterposed water curtain transmits the vibrations of the transducerdiaphragm to the substantial area of the container wetted by thecurtain, independently of variations in the size and shape of thecontainers, the irregularities of size and shape and surface and thevarying positions of the containers on the conveyor. The vibratingelement or diaphragm of the transducer is in contact solely with thewater curtain and the source of vibrations in the transducer stack orcore, so that the vibrations of the diaphragm are not subject todampening or distortion by contact with the containers or any other partof the transducer. There is no wearing away of the transducer diaphragmby contact with the containers and no breaking of bottles or othercontainers. The transducer frame and its positioning members are somounted as to afford effective biasing relative to the container path,as Well as universal tilting movement for maintaining the vibratingdiaphragm accurately in position relative to the containers and foreflicient coupling therewith by the water curtain at any usual conveyorspeed.

While a transducer of the magnetostrictive type is employed in thepresent embodiment, a piezo electric transducer of known and suitabletype may be substituted to perform the same functions in the same wayand with the same results, as well understood in the art.

Itwill thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects andWhile it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure isintended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it iscontemplated that various modifications in the construction andarrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art,within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. A device for degassing liquids comprising means for conveying openliquid containers in a path, means mounting said device adjacent saidpath, ultrasonic transducer means having a vibration-absorbingconnection with said mounting means and supported thereby, a resonatordiaphragm on said transducer means for vibration thereby, said diaphragmbeing spaced from the path of said containers, and means for discharginga fluid curtain between said diaphragm and containers for v V couplingsaid diaphragm and Containers to vibrate said containers and degas theliquid therein.

2. A device for degassing liquids comprising means for conveying openliquidcontainers continuously in a path, means for mounting said deviceadjacent said path, a positioning member for engagement with containersmoving in said path, means for discharging a fluid curtain agm'nst saidcontainers, a frame on said mounting means supporting said member,ultrasonic transducer means having a vibration-absorbing connection withsaid frame and supported thereby, a resonator diaphragm on saidtransducer means for vibration thereby, said diaphragm being spacedinwardly from said member and said path for engaging and vibrating saidfluid curtain to thereby vibrate said containers, and resilient meansconnecting said mounting means and frame for maintaining saidpositioning member in contact with said containers with said fluidcurtain in coupling relation between said containers and diaphragm.

3. A device as specified in claim 2 comprising means for adjustablylimiting the movement of said frame ,toward said container path.

. toward and from saidcontainer path.

5. A device for degassing liquidscomprising means for conveying openliquid containers continuously in a path, means for mounting said deviceadjacent said path, a positioning member for engagement with containersmoving in said path, means for discharging a fluid curtain against saidcontainers, a frame supporting said member, ultrasonic transducer meanshaving a vibrationabsorbingconnection with said frame and supportedthereby, a resonator diaphragm on said transducer means for vibrationthereby, said diaphragm being spaced inwardly from said member and saidpath for engaging and vibrating said fluid curtain to thereby vibratesaid containers, and resilient means on said mounting means supportingsaid frame and positioning member for movement toward and from saidcontainers and for universal tilting movement for maintaining saidpositioning member in contact with said containers with said fluidcurtain in coupling relation between said containers and diaphragm.

6. A device for degassing liquids comprising means for conveying openliquid containers in a path, means for mounting said device adjacentsaid path, a pair of spaced elongated members for engaging spacedportions of a container, one of said members having a bore thereinformed with spaced outlets for discharging a fluid curtain against saidcontainers, means for supplying said fluid to said member, a framesupporting said members, ultrasonic transducer means having avibration-absorbing connection with said frame and supported thereby,

a diaphragm on said transducer means for vibration thereby, saiddiaphragm'being spaced inwardly. from said members and from said pathfor engaging and vibrating said fluid curtain to thereby vibrate saidcontainers, and resilient means connecting said mounting means and framefor maintaining said members in contact with saidcontainers with saidfluid curtain in coupling relation between said containers anddiaphragm.

7. A device for degassing liquids comprising means for conveyingopenliquid containers continuously in a path, means for mounting saiddevice adjacent said path, a positioning member for engagement withcontainers moving in said path, means for discharging a fluid curtainagainst said containers, a frame supporting said member, an elongated,plate shaped resonator diaphragm extending parallel with and spacedinwardly from said member and from said path for engaging and vibratingsaidfluid curtain to thereby vibrate said containers, a plurality ofultrasonic transducer units having vibrationabsorbing connections withsaid frame and supported thereby, said units being fixed to andsupporting said diaphragm in spaced relation longitudinally thereof atpoints affording cumulative resonance, and resilient means connectingsaid mounting means and frame for maintaining said positioning member incontact with said containers with said fluid curtain in couplingrelation between said containers and diaphragm.

8. A device for degassing liquids comprising means for conveying openliquid containers continuously in a path, a base for mounting saiddevice adjacent said path, a positioning member for engagement withcontainers moving in said path, means for discharging a fluid curtainagainst said containers, a frame supporting said member, ultrasonictransducer means having a vibration-absorbing connection with said frameand supported thereby, a resonator diaphragm on 'said means forvibration thereby, said diaphragm being spaced inwardly from said memberand said path forengaging and vibrating said fluid curtain to therebyvibrate said containers, a plurality of bodies of resilient materialconnecting said base and frame, means for torsionally biasing saidbodies 7 to move said frame, member and diaphragm toward said containerpath, and means for adjusting saidrnemher on said frame toward and fromsaid path.

9. A device for degassing liquids comprising means for conveying openliquid containers continuously in a path, a base for mounting saiddevice adjacent said path, a pair of spaced linear positioning membersfor engaging spaced portions of containers moving in said path, meansfor discharging a fluid curtain against said containens, a framesupporting said members, ultrasonic transducer means Ihaving 1avibration-absorbing connection with said frame and supported thereby, aresonator diaphragm on said transducer means for vibration thereby, saiddiaphragm being spaced inwardly from said members and said path forengaging and vibrating said fluid curtain to thereby vibrate saidcontainers, flanges on said base eX- tending on opposite sidesof saidframe, a plurality of studs on said flanges and'lframe, bodies ofresilient material on said studs and connected between said flanges andsaid frame, means rfior torsionally biasing said bodies to v move saidframe, members and diaphragm toward said path, and means for adjustingthe positions of said members on said frame.

10. A device'zfor degassing liquids as specified in claim 9 comprising aplurality of studs on said flanges and frame, bodies of resilientmaterial on said studs and connected between said flanges and frame tosupport said frame for universal tilting movement by shearingdeformation of said bodies, and means for torsonally biasing said bodiesto move said frame, members and diaphragm toward said path.

11. The method of degassing liquids in open containers comprising thesteps Olf conveying said containers along a path, placing an ultrasonictransducer with its vibrating element in closely spaced relation to thecontainers in said path, supplying a curtain of fluid between and incontact with said containers and element, and energizing said transducerto vibrate said element and curtain and thereby vibrate and degas theliquids in said containers.

12. The method of degassing liquids in open containers comprising thesteps of conveying said containers continuously in a path, placing anultrasonic transducer.

adjacent said path, pressing said transducer resiliently toward saidpath with a nouvibrating member thereof in yielding contact with saidcontainers and with the vibrating element of said transducer in closelyspaced relation to said containers, supplying a thin curtain of fluidbetween and in contact with said containers and element with saidcurtain covering said element and coupling the same with saidcontainers, and energizing said transducer to vibrate said element andcurtain and thereby vibrate and degais the liquids insaid containers.

13. The method of degassing liquids in iopen contain ers comprising thesteps er conveying said containers continuously in la path, placing anultrasonic transducer v 8, adjacent said path, supporting saidtransducer for movcsaid transducer to vibrate said element and curtainand ment toward and from said containers and for universal therebyvibrate and de gas the liquids in said containers. tilting movementrelative to said containers with a nonvibrating member of saidtransducer in yielding contact References Cited in the tile of thispatent With said containers and with the vibrating element of 5 saidtransducer in closely spaced relation to said 0011- UNITED STATESPATENTS tainers, supplying a thin curtain of fluid between and in 2,91,2 6 Pray 8, 1959 contact with said containers and element, andenergizing

11. THE METHOD OF DEGASSING LIQUIDS IN OPEN CONTAINERS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CONVEYING SAID CONTAINERS ALONG A PATH, PLACING AN ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER WITH ITS VIBRATING ELEMENT IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATION TO THE CONTAINERS IN SAID PATH, SUPPLYING A CURTAIN OF FLUID BETWEEN AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID CONTAINERS AND ELEMENT, AND ENERGIZING SAID TRANSDUCER TO VIBRATE SAID ELEMENT AND CURTAIN AND THEREBY VIBRATE AND DEGAS THE LIQUIDS IN SAID CONTAINERS. 